Axiom Verge has been critically acclaimed on a host of platforms, a reward for years of solo effort by creator Tom Happ. Now the 'retro-style action-platform-exploration game' that's drawn comparisons to a range of 16-bit classics is heading home, as it were - it's landing on the Wii U eShop on 1st September for $19.99 / €17.99.
That date is for North America and Europe, and Happ has posted a lovely blog entry called 'Feels Like Coming Home' to emphasize why it matters to bring the game to Wii U. He also reiterates that the Wii U version is 'probably the best one', citing online leaderboards for the Speedrun mode and the use of the GamePad screen to view the map. We recommend reading the full blog post, but an excerpt is below.
The Nintendo games of my childhood are what inspired me to make Axiom Verge. Metroid is probably one of the more obvious influences, but it's actually a lot more than that. Axiom Verge actually started out as an exercise in game design. I wanted to deconstruct my favorite games from my youth and see what would happen if I took the best elements of each and put them together. The Bionic Commando's grapple hook and Rygar's Yo-Yo in the setting of Blaster Master and Shatterhand. I wanted to see what would fit together – and just as importantly what wouldn't work.
...So for so many reasons, Axiom Verge truly belongs on a Nintendo platform. It was only because of Blitworks' amazing technical skill that we were able to make that happen, and I'm grateful for their work on the pixel-perfect port. Even though the game's been out for a little while on other systems, the Wii U version is probably the best one. It's the only console version to support leaderboards for the dedicated Speedrun Mode. And the Wii U GamePad will allow people to have the world map viewable at all times without pausing the game – or to play Off-TV.
Are you planning to grab this on 1st September? Let us know in the comments.
[source axiomverge.com]
Comments 49
Heard this a few days ago but it's good to have it officially confirmed. The price is too high though, it's currently €11 on the Playstation store.
I've been watching Axiom Verge for couple of years. This definitely is on my purchase list!
Ha, guess you could say it's just on the verge of releasing. I can't wait, definitely picking this up.
Think I'll be getting this one too.
Can't wait for this game! September looks nice if you own both a Wii U and 3DS. For me it will be Axiom Verge and Shantae Half-Genie Hero on Wii U and Spirit of Justice and Dragon Quest 7 on 3DS.
I'll get this to celebrate Metroid's 30th anniversary.
Sure will! I've been waiting for this game for a looong time, now if we can only get severed and hyper light drifter...
Wonder if they will make a boxed version in the future...
Buying this for sure.
I hope the filesize isn't too large, because I'm low on space.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE NO, the price is NOT too high. The eShop price is exactly the same as the current Steam price, which is exactly the same as the standard PS Store price: €17.99. True, this game is happens to be currently on sale on one of this online platforms, but do you reasonably expect its creators to release a newly developed port at a sale price? Why should they?
Let's hope Nintendo fans buy this in bulk so Nintendo sees people care about this genre. For Metroid's sake mostly.
Awesome news! Looking forward to its release!
He only mentions like every game I loved on the NES so just for that I need to give this a try.
This has been on my Steam wishlist for a good while now. I'll probably pick up this version instead.
Couldn't wait. Got it on Steam when it was on sale. Might double dip when it's on sale on the eShop.
@BinaryFragger
I'm going to buy it because it seems like something I'll love, but also for the reason you brought up. The hype about the Metroid 2 remake and big sales of this game could send a nice message.
Beyond that, though, I've wanted to do exactly what he has done and although I have developed much of the skills necessary I have never found the right opportunity or carved out time for it. I still want to do it, but maybe I can vicariously experience it by playing this game.
With AM2R being pulled this is perfect timing for a release. It should sell loa- Oh yeah, folk have to pay. Never mind.
Too bad I already have it on Steam after the summer sale.
Day 1 purchase.
@Kochambra It doesn't change the fact that it's cheaper on the Playstation Store right now. And it plays on PS4 and Vita. So it's cheaper and has greater functionalality. What could possibly go wrong with the Wii U versions sales? I'll buy it when it's cheaper and most people won't pay the higher price either.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Check back on September 1st to see if you have a point, I guess? Because right now your only valid point is that it has cross play, while the Wii U version has persistent map screen and leaderboards and off-TV play, which might not be equal to you but probably is at least equal in the minds of many.
Why do people brag about spending less money on indie games that they love? I don't understand it.
"I didn't support this developer that made a great game in an underrepresented genre I love much at all! Barely anything I gave them! I can't wait until some other idiot developer spends 8 years of their life on making things I love maybe I won't pay them anything next time!"
I mean what is the brag about? How shortsighted you are? How much you disrespect and don't value your own passion? Who are you trying to impress?
(This isn't necessarily targeted at anyone specific here, just a trend I noticed in gamers in general)
Superb news,I'll be there day one.I don't mind paying the asking price for something of this quality.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE It also doesn't change the fact that, when the game gets released on the eShop on 1st September, the price will be EXACTLY THE SAME on both platforms. And, no, it does not have "greater funtionality" it has DIFFERENT functionality; with the Wii U version you can play on and off TV and without having to buy any additional devices, you have Miiverse integration, you have the world map viewable at all times...
You like the PS version's features better? Fine, buy that version. You'd rather wait for a sale on the Wii U version? Do wait, by all means! Just don't assume that "most people" will think the same way as you do.
I don't really know what point are you trying to make. Do you think that when developers port a game to a new machine, they should always release it at the cheapest price it has ever been in any of the platforms it was previously available on? Funny, because when Axiom Verge was released on the PS Store, it had already been included in at least one Steam sale, but I haven't heard anyone complaining about it selling poorly on the PS Store.
Neato, same as day as my birthday. I'm certainly interested in buying this anyways.
Looks awesome, but I'll wait for a discount. At $10 it would have been a no brainer, at $20 one starts to wonder if I really need to add another game to my backlog.
holy crap, a metroid game on a nintendo console! who'd have thunk it!
I would love to get it on Wii U, but its so cheap on PS now its going to be hard to justify, until its on a very good sale.
Definitely a purchase.
@Dakt Once again: It's the same price that you have to pay right now to buy the game in Steam and it's the same price you will have to pay for the game if you buy it on 1st September from the PS Store. There's no punishment whatsoever. It's the same base price in all platforms.
This game is magnificent. I highly recommend playing with good headphones. It really enriches the experience.
Great news! If the gameplay is good and lenghtwise comparable or higher to a Metroid game, then I'll gladly pay the asking price. There are a lot of Indie games worth their price, such as Fast Racing Neo or the Steamworld-Games, so I've no problem supporting quality.
Any news on the file size though?
Yes
@Dakt Here's another way to look at it: They actually devoted time and resources to producing a port for a platform with a relatively small install base, a platform that every one and its owner consider to be in its last months of active life. I'm not telling you what to do with your money, but I don't see the point to all this complaining about the price, when it's the exact same base price in all platforms, and by the looks of it, this seems to be a perfectly competent port that actually makes use of the Wii U's singular features.
@Kochambra Forget it. You won´t get thru its thick skull (maybe the helmet/cap is impairing him/her to read properly),
"Cheapskates gonna be cheapskates no matter the price".
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Thanks for mentioning, I just got myself a copy at the discount for €11.
@Kochambra ''Funny, because when Axiom Verge was released on the PS Store, it had already been included in at least one Steam sale,''
Just want to say; it released on PS4 earlier than on Steam..
People can do what they want with their money, but I'm spending it on this game Day One.
This is definitely day one for me. I played the PS4 version up, down and sideways last year and can't wait to do it again. Tom Happ and the porting devs deserve every last nickel and being able to purchase this game again both reminds Nintendo that Metroid still matters and I can vote with my dollar again.
20 bucks would be worth it had I heard Freedom Planet/Shovel Knight levels of praise but I've only heard mixed things.
Also, outside of this site I haven't heard of anyone who's this excited for it.
What a deal!!!!!!! $30 off this lost snes game!!!!!1!!!! I think so! To toys r us
@Octane You're right; for whatever reason, the PS Store website lists Apr 20th 2016 as the game's release date, when that's just the later release date of the Vita port.
My point still stands: The game was released on PS Vita when it had already been on sale on Steam, and it looks like it sold well enough: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/05/11/playstation-store-april-2016s-top-downloads/
Lots of praise have been heaped on this game... not just on this site. 5 star review on Giantbomb, 8 on Gamespot, 7.9 on IGN.
..hell yea I'm getting this..it's a Prime example of a 2D game Nintendo should make..
@Hey-Cha-La ...and the IGN review is way off base. It seems like they are criticizing it for trying to be exactly what it says it's trying to be.
It's a truly fantastic game that I will definitely be purchasing for the Wii U. The PS4/Vita version is wonderful, but it feels like its real home should be on a Nintendo console...just like Shovel Knight.
@Hordak IMHO, 7.9 actually isn't bad for a 2D indy game. I love the Giger like visuals. I can't wait to pick this up!
ooooooooh hahaha here it is again!
people complaining the price is too high.
i knew it, i knew it, i knew it
Awesome, can't wait to re-try that game again.
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